A question about Jewish scrolls on doorways

[Beadybead]

Hoping someone here can answer this question for me!

We have finished renovating our new house. The previous owners were Jewish so each doorway has a scroll attached to it, all of which have now been removed.

We want to dispose of them respectfully. Does anyone know what I’m supposed to do? Don’t want to throw them away, as I wouldn’t throw my own religious items in the bin. I wasn’t sure if it’s just a case of handing them to one of the local synagogues but they all have security so don’t know if the security guard will actually help.

Any ideas? Based in NW London in case it helps.

They are called mezuzahs and you are correct that there are protocols for disposing of them respectfully. If you are in NW London you will have a synagogue very locally to you and there will be contact details on their website. The rabbi will be happy to speak to you to advise.

It’s so lovely of you to want to do this respectfully, thank you. I would contact the synagogue rather than just going there - they should be happy to advise you.

Thank you so much both, really appreciate it. Helpful to know the name too!

Very strange that they didn't take them with them! I've always taken mine when moving. Yes, if you email a local synagogue, they will be happy to help. You may need to email more than one though as not all will be super responsive.

I have them too, we are not Jewish but the previous owners were. I left them there , I think they are rather lovely!

They contain verses from the Bible, (ie three paragraphs from 5 Books of Moses) written very small on parchment. They are expensive to buy eg £50 per scroll and the cases can costs also so a surprise they didn’t take.

Can remove them and drop in at a local synagogue. I’d probably call rather than email.

If not usable anymore they will be buried with other holy books so definitely contact your nearest synagogue. Some sunagogues might be better organised so you might need to try a couple.

If you leave them up people might think you are Jewish and you will prob get lots of Jewish charity collectors! 😀

@ticketstickets why would a charity collector see a mezuzah?

Is it worth contacting the previous owners and checking they do not want them back?

If collecting for a Jewish charity they will recognise a Jewish house by the mezzuzah on the door.

I have lived in houses with mezuzahs all my life, including in NW London, and I have never once been 'targeted' by a Jewish charity.

You may not intend this, but your post comes very close to"Ew, look out for those Jews.'

Have contacted the nearest synagogue who have already responded to let me know I can drop it off in their sheimos box for burial.

Thanks all!

I guess that’s an option too - didn’t think of that! We came across some old photos they left behind too so will give them the option first when I message about the photos.

I was going to suggest contacting a Synagogue, glad you have an answer.

Heaven forbid anyone would think the OP might be Jewish! Did you mean that comment the way it sounds??

Sounds like you've done the right thing if you don't want to keep them there OP. If the previous owners were very religious I expect they wouldn't want to take them, as I believe there's a rule that you shouldn't remove a mezuzah unless you are replacing it with another one.

I have lived in a house where the Jewish charity collectors called, plenty of them. Often they backed away when I opened the door, because they were very religious and I wasn't what they were expecting.

I also had a lovely Mezuzah with a clear glass tube so that the scroll showed through, brought back from Israel, until someone pinched it. It happened a lot in those days, probably still does.